Traitor
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Movie Reviews of Traitor
Movie Review: Don Cheadle owns this movie! (well, I own it, too, but not in the same way...)
Summary: 5 Stars
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If you haven't yet caught on that Don Cheadle is a fantastic actor, then peep this movie and let the lightbulb turn on. Cheadle is amazing in TRAITOR. It's a credit to his ability to keep things internal yet unveil just enough of what's going on inside that not only are you uncertain as to his character's true allegiance, but you grow to care and you cross your fingers hoping that he's on the right side.
What sort of person might you become had you, as a child, witnessed a loved one become a casualty of terrorism? The answer to this is what haunts this film, and is what truly drives the storyline. Young Samir Horn (Cheadle), having seen his father killed in a car bomb explosion, grows up to be an operative in the U.S. Army's Special Forces. But, years later, an FBI-affiliated raid in Yemen catches him selling semtex to a terrorist cell, and Samir ends up in a Yemeni prison. He eventually breaks out, thanks to a befriended jihad leader. His new friend gives Samir a choice: Samir can now go his own way or he can become part of the cause. Samir goes for the latter.
Someone once told Samir: "It's clear to me that you're not a fanatic. An opportunist, perhaps, but not a fanatic." Early on I couldn't help wondering: Is Samir merely a mercenary arms dealer? Or is he himself a terrorist? Or something else?
Back in Washington, the FBI Special Task Force sniffs out an alarming international conspiracy, connecting it to bombings which took place in Rome, Berlin and Amsterdam. And Samir's name surfaces. Special Agent Clayton (Pearce) is tasked with getting at the truth. And because this film is an intelligent, circuitous thriller, that truth is a hard-gotten thing. As he probes and prods and encounters traces of Samir around the globe, even amidst further bombings, Clayton unearths just enough contradictory facts to make him question Samir's role in these acts.
I was surprised at how easily I was drawn into this movie. TRAITOR is dark and provocative cinema, and even though it boasts other fine actors, whether the film works or not hinges on Don Cheadle. Thankfully, plonk this guy down in any character-driven story and he'll shine. TRAITOR trades on politics and dirty espionage, and uses Samir Horn as a prism thru which it explores moral complexities and the underpinnings of faith and religion and what constitutes a good man. How far do you go to do the right thing? Is the big picture worth an innocent life or two? Cheadle kept me in the dark as to which side he's on, until the film decided it was time to show me. Yet the film makes it clear that Samir Horn is a devout Muslim (although, to segue a bit, when Agent Clayton describes Samir as a devout Muslim, Samir's mother corrects him: "He's a Muslim. I don't believe there is a sliding scale." This is one more religious contention brought up here). Even as Samir gets sucked in deeper and deeper into the world of terrorism, there's no questioning that Samir feels true remorse over the killings he's caused. The question is, is that regret enough to dissuade him? Again, which side is he on?
Samir's friendship with a terrorist makes things murkier. Said Taghmaoui, who plays Omar, is very good, certainly good enough that I couldn't help but like the guy. It helps, I guess, that Omar, even though steadfast to his cause, is nuanced enough and conflicted enough that smidgens of humanity leak out.
The bonus features on this single disc: an audio commentary by Don Cheadle and Writer/Director Jeffrey Nachmanoff; two featurettes - "Action!" (4:39 minutes, concerning the film's action set pieces) & "International Espionage" (5:11 minutes, concerning the film's international on-site locations); and the movie trailer.
TRAITOR doesn't come with wall-to-wall action; the explosions and tussles and gun fights are spread throughout the film and done to serve the story, instead of as mere eye candy stuff. Samir Horn comes off as more realistic, in the sense that he may have been Special Forces but that doesn't mean he can go up against sheer numbers and win out. On a one-on-one, though, he can hold his own. And, we find out, he can't dodge bullets.
I like that there's no easy way out here. As the film goes on, options narrow to inevitable, gut-wrenching decisions; the light at the tunnel's end grows dimmer. A man of true faith is caught in the crosshairs and forced to commit heinous acts, and then has to face up to what he's done. Don Cheadle completely embodies his character, and makes you feel Samir's soul-wrecking torment and revulsion. And, by this point, if you haven't yet caught on that Don Cheadle is a fantastic actor...
Movie Review: If Only This Could Happen In Real Life!
Summary: 5 Stars
- Were my exact words to myself after seeing the surprise ending to Traitor! - I usually avoid Americans-as-victims type movies like the plague! But Traitor is not your typical terrorist/war porn movie. While there's some violence it is never gratuitous, gruesome or exploitative. What you are going to see is an intelligent story, granted it's a fantasy, but it makes many important points.
First, and foremost, Islam does not condone the the killing of innocent civilians anymore than Christianity does. And we are reminded, by example, that the Klu Klux Klan perverted Christianity by striking fear in the hearts of thousands of people by burning crosses on their property, and by committing other very serious acts of violence against innocent civilians in the name of God and country!
Another message we hear clearly is that killing innocent civilians is never justified, and the ends don't justify the means! Since this film review has a world audience, I would like to point out that the United States government has not learned this lesson either! The American fire bombing of Tokyo, Japan and Dresden, Germany during World War 2 are war crimes, plain and simple! The horrendous treatment of Native Americans during the 16th - 19th centuries are war crimes. The deliberate and/or reckless dropping of napalm on civilians during the Vietnam War is a war crime, too.
The United States support of oppressive dictators, monarchs, and other assorted thugs is also criminal But two wrongs don't make a right. And one not need become a thug, killer or terrorist to thwart thugs, killers or terrorists!
One of the biggest problems facing the world today is a lack of education concerning what governments around the world do in their citizen's name. We all like to focus on the other country/person as the bad guy, while never owing up to our own government's sins. It so incredibly easy to point the finger!
If all the crimes that the American government committed in its 232 year history were listed back-to-back, it would be a mile long. But the same could be said about many other governments around the world. So it begs the question - when will we (the Human Race) ever learn? Innocent civilians are the vast majority of the world's population. Don't we have any say in this? In my humble opinion, if you really want long-lasting change shove a mirror in your opponent's face, instead of of some weapon! As Albert Einstein once said, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different outcome!
The History of Terrorism: From Antiquity to al Qaeda, Terrorism and War (Open Media Pamphlet Series), Terrorism and the Constitution: Sacrificing Civil Liberties in the Name of National Security, Revised and Updated Edition
Movie Review: Patriotism, Faith or Fanaticism?
Summary: 5 Stars
Jeffrey Nachmanoff's "Traitor" is a tense, well-paced thriller that keeps us on the edge of our seat, at the same time aiming for our most visceral and human emotions. It challenges us to consider the border between political and religious extremism and sincere, deeply held patriotism and faith. I was a little surprised that Kennedy Center Honoree Steve Martin, better known for Wild and Crazy comedy, wrote the story Nachmanoff adapted into a taut screenplay.
Don Cheadle should receive an Oscar nomination in the lead role of Samir Horn. Samir is not a one-dimensional character and Cheadle embodies him with a focused yet larger than life performance.
In the opening scene we see a young Samir in Sudan, in a room praying with his devout Muslim father. Then something happens that we have no trouble understanding colors Samirs thoughts and beliefs and motivations for the rest of his life.
We see Samir in modern times dealing sophisticated explosives to an Islamic terrorist group in Yemen. Government agents burst in on the deal, taking Samir and the terrorists into custody. It is implied in Yemen this involves frequent beatings and long imprisonment.
We are introduced to a pair of FBI agents. Max, the hot-headed one is played by Neal McDonough. The thoughtful one, Roy Clayton, is played by Guy Pearce, who grew up in Australia but once again immerses himself in the role of an American so well I had no difficulty believing Roy is the son of a Southern Baptist Minister. (I'm the son of a Roy and a Southern Baptist myself.) Roy is the second most important character in the film. He became interested in Arabic culture in college, and now works for the FBI combating terrorism. Astute and perceptive, he understands that Samir has a sincere muslim belief and is not simply interested in blowing up all things not muslim.
We find later that Samir is deeper still. Jeff Daniels plays Carter, a U.S. Intelligence officer, the only person alive who knows that Samir is a double agent sent to infiltrate a secret Islamic terrorist organization.
Much of the suspense in the film is generated because Carter (and by extension the audience) doesn't know if Samir has "gone to the other side".
Said Taghmaoui plays Omar, a member of the secret terrorist group who brings Samir into the fold, and in another fine wrinkle of the textured screenplay, we get to see many shades of gray even among the terrorists.
The film asks difficult questions and does not imply that there are easy - or any - answers. If you have the most sincere patriotism or faith, how many innocent people can you kill in the name of your country or faith? Fanatics may answer "however many it takes", but Samir and Roy both have doubts, and you believe that their personal faith informs their decisions.
This is a thoughtful thriller and if you're interested in such things - you should see it. The Lord bless and keep you: As-Salamu `Alaikum.
Movie Review: A Superb Morality Play
Summary: 5 Stars
This is an excellent movie and one I highly recommend. The screen play is good although it has some logical holes which would probably keep it from academy nomination. The casting is superb with the only major name being Jeff Daniels who in reality has only a cameo role. The plot revolves around a deep cover agent who is in reality a devout Muslim but who struggles to maintain his perspective as he burrows deeper into the world of terrorism. The movie makes a strong effort to portray Muslims as complicated people with some being good and others not so good. Midway through the movie the mother of Samir (Don Cheadle) says in response to the question regarding how devout Samir is "You are either a muslim or you are not". This is a telling point because anyone who has actually read the Koran knows that it is filled with hate and exhortations to kill infidels. This point is really not made very clear but you do see how the Koran is used to manipulate the young and impressionable and how westerners are viewed as "Crusaders". These are very real and telling points but ones that were not explored. Overall the movie demonstrates how some Muslims who are seeking power use the Koran and the deeply religious (as played by Saïd Taghmaoui)Muslims to further their own ends. In effect the movie shows the typical terrorist as being manipulated by these power seekers who really are apostate. This is shown as they are shaved, drink alcohol, eat pork, live the high life while justifying their lack of observance as "fitting in". But this is really just the framework of the movie and while well done, ultimately the movie raises some very significant moral questions regarding the price to be paid for righteousness. How many innocent people can be sacrificed in the name of good before it is too many? What about the moral and psychological impact on the participants? The movie is very clear on who are the good guys and who are the bad guys and you are left with insight into how the slaughter is justified but insight without judgement and the audience is left to make that decision.
This is really an excellent movie, with a superb cast, good screen play, and no car chases (remarkable) no nudity, no real profanity, and even the violence is minimal and fits the circumstance. The good guys are clearly good but flawed and the bad guys are clearly bad but not without humanity. It is worth seeing and might indeed garner an acadmeny nomination.
Movie Review: Quite moving
Summary: 5 Stars
Don Cheatle has always chosen interesting roles that hold great potential for social and human commentary. This is certainly no exception. His performance here was magnificent.
Being an American born convert to Islam, I am familiar with the conflicting feelings a Muslim has to face. ironically, the answers are simple. But implementing them in our daily life is never simple. "Traitor" shows this perfectly.
Cheatle's character illustrates this perfectly. From his childhood, he was exposed to political violence. Yet at heart, all he was interested in was living as a pious Muslim. Which brings us to the crux of the matter; politics. When a social structure arises that is based on ANY ideology, inevitably, a point will come when those in leadership positions will have to chose between adhering to their ideological principles at the expense of their political power, or "adjusting" their principles for the sake of political and / or economic expediency. All too often, human beings make a very poor choice in this. The whole of human history will provide an excellent model to study this phenomenon.
So, getting back to the movie, we are left with a great many open questions, or so it would seem. Was Cheatle's character the traitor, or did he truly adhere to the principles of Islam and chose the lesser of many evils? How does one explain Fareed, who drank alcohol and ate pork with the justification that he was simply blending in: something easily avoidable (which I can personally attest to)? Did the terrorist organization that Horn worked for betray Islam by turning their religion into a political agenda, and adapt methods that have no justification in Islamic spirituality? Did FBI Agent Clayton betray (or casually abandon) his family's Christian principles - and was Horn's devout Islamic beliefs responsible for exposing him to what he'd lost, or walked away from?
There are no easy answers to this, either in art or in real life. We make choices every moment and must live with the results and consequences of these choices. Samir Horn was an object lesson in this.
Finally, I want to say that I see in this movie not a single shred of anti-Islamic or anti-American rhetoric. People who accuse "Traitor" of either of these are missing the point. There is no political agenda here; only a human agenda; the agenda of coming to terms with what's within one's heart.